Apparatus for counting can ends

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for counting can ends and producing discrete stacks thereof is disclosed. The apparatus includes a trough for carrying a plurality of nested can ends in edgewise relationship between a pair of rotatable counting gears which engage successive ones of the nested can ends. An indicator, associated with the counting gears, advances incrementally as each can end passes between the counting gears, thereby counting the number of can ends so passed. The apparatus further includes means, initiated by pushing an actuate end of a pivotable arm, for stopping the rotation of the counting gears, thereby permitting only a predetermined number of can ends to pass between the counting gears. Discrete stacks of can ends, each having the same predetermined number, are thus produced by successively pushing the actuate end of the pivotable arm, and moving the nested can ends between the counting gears until the rotation of the gears is stopped.

United States Patent [1 1 Elmer APPARATUS FOR COUNTING CAN ENDS [75] Inventor: Bruce Leslie Elmer, St. Peters, Mo.

[73] Assignee: Lianco Container Corporation,

Bridgeton, Mo.

22 Filed: Jan. 15,1974

[21] Appl. No.: 442,750

Primary Examiner-Lawrence R. Franklin Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hume, Clement, Brinks, Willian, Olds & Cook May 20, 1975 [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for counting can ends and producing discrete stacks thereof is disclosed. The apparatus includes a trough for carrying a plurality of nested can ends in edgewise relationship between a pair of rotatable counting gears which engage successive ones of the nested can ends. An indicator, associated with the counting gears, advances incrementally as each can end passes between the counting gears, thereby counting the number of can ends so passed. The apparatus further includes means, initiated by pushing an actuate end of a pivotable arm, for stopping the rotation of the counting gears, thereby permitting only a predetermined number of can ends to pass between the counting gears. Discrete stacks of can ends, each having the same predetermined number, are thus produced by successively pushing the actuate end of the pivotable arm, and moving the nested can ends between the counting gears until the rotation of the gears is stopped.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures mama 2 W5 3.885.135

SHEET 10$ 2 APPARATUS FOR COUNTING CAN ENDS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an apparatus for rapidly and accurately counting nestable articles such as can ends, and producing discrete stacks thereof for packing in paper sleeves, tubes, or cartons.

At the present time, a relatively high speed process is used to manufacture the can ends used by brewers, soft drink processors, food canners, and the like. By comparison, some of the methods for counting these can ends after manufacture are slow and crude. One such method includes visual comparison of a stack of can ends with a predetermined length corresponding to a predetermined number of can ends. This method is slow, and due to the unavoidable variations in the edge thickness of the manufactured can ends and differences in stack length resulting from variations in can end weight or operator pressure, is also subject to undesirable inaccuracies. Though nonmanual can end counting methods have achieved substantial gains in speed and accuracy, the complex mechanical/electrical/optical machines required in such an automated process are costly. difficult to maintain, and require such expertise in operation as to render them impractical in many applications.

To overcome these and other drawbacks in the prior art, one embodiment of the claimed invention provides an apparatus and method for rapidly, accurately, and inexpensively counting can ends with minimal operator skill. This embodiment further provides an apparatus and method for rapidly producing discrete stacks of can ends of predetermined number. More particularly, a trough of substantially semi-circular cross-section is provided to carry and guide a plurality of can ends aligned edgewise in close physical, or nested relationship. A pair of counting gears of equal pitch aligned on opposite sides of the trough have teeth adapted to engage successive ones of the nested can ends as they are moved manually, or by any other appropriate means, along the trough. In this manner, each counting gear rotates an equal incremental amount as each one of the nested can ends moves between the counting gears. The degree of rotation of the counting gears thus corresponds to the number of can ends passed therebetween.

The apparatus of the invention further includes a cam, mechanically coupled to the counting gears, and adapted to controllably permit or prevent the rotation thereof. When the cam is positioned to permit the rotatron of the counting gears, the nested can ends can be moved therebetween and counting will proceed in the manner described. When the cam prevents the countmg gears from rotating, however, the can ends will be unable to pass between the counting gears.

To accomplish this result, a spring-loaded cam stop arm having a cam-following end which moves about the perimeter of the cam is provided. A dwell in the cam is adapted to receive the cam-following end, and her by stop the rotation of the cam after each revolutron thereof. This, in turn, prevents the continued rotation of the counting gears, thus preventing additional can ends from being moved therebetween. The springloaded cam arm further includes an actuate end for releasing the cam-following end from the dwell, thereby permitting nested can ends to be moved along the trough between the counting gears until the cam completes another revolution. In this manner, discrete stacks of nested can ends can be rapidly produced, the number of can ends in each stack corresponding to the parameters of the apparatus. For example, by choosing the size of the counting gears such that one revolution of the cam corresponds to the exact number of can ends needed to form a predetermined size stack, packing in paper sleeves, tubes or cartons is greatly facilitated.

To insure accurate counting, the cam and each counting gear is fitted with a center shaft to which is secured a rotatable synchronizing gear. These synchronizing gears mechanically cooperate with one another to maintain the cam and the counting gears in synchronous rotation as the nested can ends move along the trough.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The apparatus of the invention thus comprises a trough for carrying a plurality of nested articles in edgewise alignment, and integrated means, having a plurality of teeth adapted to engage successive ones of the nested articles as they move along the trough. The integrated means are adapted to separate, count, retain and release the nested articles.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION AND A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a primary object of this invention to provide an improved can end counter.

It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus for rapidly and accurately counting can ends with minimal expense and operator skill.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved can end counter adapted to rapidly produce discrete stacks of nested can ends, the number of can ends in each stack corresponding to the exact number of can ends needed to fill packing sleeves, tubes or cartons.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for counting nested can ends having a pair of rotatable counting gears adapted to successively engage identical ones of the nested can ends, and a rotatable cam for controllably permitting or preventing the rotation of the counting gears.

One highly desirable feature of this invention is that three synchronous gears, coupled respectively to the cam and the counting gears, mechanically cooperate with one another to maintain the cam and the counting gears in synchronous rotation as the nested can ends are counted.

Another desirable feature of this invention is that rapid, accurate counting and sorting of can ends into discrete stacks can be accomplished by moving the can ends through an apparatus having a trough which may be disposed either horizontally, or at a substantial inclination from the horizontal, or vertical to facilitate can end packing operations.

Other objects, features, and advantages will be apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the invention showing a plurality of nested can ends ready to be counted and separated into discrete stacks;

FIG. 2 is a slightly enlarged plan view, partially cutaway, of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

3 FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. I; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the apparatus of the invention with a portion of the plurality of nested can ends shown in FIG. 1 already counted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIG. 1, a trough of substantially semi-circular cross-section is supported by a suitable frame 16 and is adapted to carry a plurality of can ends 10, nested in edgewise relationship substantially as shown. As seen best in FIG. 2, ends 10 nest together through means of integral abutment surfaces 12 which terminate in partially enveloping curled edges 11. It should be emphasized, however, that the invention should not be limited to any particular can end geometry, the can ends shown and described herein merely being the embodiments preferred among numerous structurally different, but conceptually identical, alternatives.

Still referring to FIG. 1, frame 16 further supports counting means 20 represented by a pair of rotatable counting gears 21 and 26 aligned on opposite sides of trough 1S. Counting gears 21 and 26 each have concave side surfaces a and 25b, respectively, adapted to cooperate with the circumferential edges 13 of can ends 10. As shown in FIG. 2, each of counting gears 21 and 26 also have a plurality of teeth of substantially equal pitch represented, respectively, by reference nu merals 22 and 27. Teeth 22 and 27 are adapted to engage successive ones of can ends 10 at curled edges 11 when the can ends are moved along trough 15 between counting gears 21 and 26. This movement of can ends 10 is accomplished through proper application of a force F, developed by manual, mechanical, or some other suitable means. As each can end is moved between counting gears 21 and 26, the gears rotate incrementally in opposite directions as shown by the arrows in the accompanying drawings.

Indicating means, which in this preferred embodiment is represented by an arrow on counting gear 21, are used for counting the number of can ends that pass between counting gears 21 and 26. This is accomplished by originally setting counting gear 21 so that arrow 40 is at some reference position, such as perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of trough 15 (FIGS. 1 and 2). As explained hereinbefore, the subsequent movement of can ends 10 between counting gears 21 and 26 will cause the counting gears to rotate an incremental amount as each can end passes between the counting gears. This rotation is indicated by the relative position of arrow 40 in FIG. 4. It is thus clear that the position of arrow 40, relative to its reference position, corresponds to the number of can ends moved between counting gears 21 and 26. By providing a stationary calibrated surface (not shown) disposed about the periphery of counting gear 21, arrow 40 can be adapted to point to the exact number of can ends passed between counting gears 21 and 26, if desired.

Referring now to FIG. 3, it will be seen that counting gear 21 has a center shaft 23 which is secured to a first synchronizing gear 24 on the underside of frame 16. Similarly, counting gear 26 has a center shaft 28 which is secured to a second synchronizing gear 29, also lo cated on the underside of frame 16. Synchronizing gears 24 and 29 are of equal pitch, and mechanically cooperate with one another as shown. Synchronizing gears 24 and 29 thus maintain counting gears 21 and 26 in synchronous rotation as can ends 10 are moved therebetween, thereby insuring an accurate count.

The apparatus of the invention further includes a rotatable cam 31 having a dwell 32 (shown most clearly in FIG. 4), and a center shaft 33 which is secured to a third synchronizing gear 35 disposed on the underside of frame 16. Synchronizing gear 35 has the same pitch as synchronizing gear 24 and is in mechanical cooperation therewith as shown in FIG. 3. Synchronizing gears 35, 24 and 29 are thus all in mechanical cooperation with each other, whereby any blockage of synchronizing gear 35, for example, will prevent further rotation of synchronizing gears 24 and 29, and counting gears 21 and 26.

Cam stop means 30, which are adapted to simultaneously block the rotation of cam 31 and synchronizing gear 35, include a pivotable cam stop arm 36, loaded by a spring 39. Cam stop arm 36 has a cam-following end 37 and an actuate end 38. Dwell 32 is adapted to receive cam-following end 37, and when dwell 32 is aligned therewith prior to counting, spring 39 urges cam-following end into dwell 32.

When cam-following end 37 of cam stop arm 36 is at rest into dwell 32, cam 31 is prevented from rotating. As a result, synchronizing gears 35, 24 and 29 will also be unable to rotate, as will counting gears 21 and 26. Under these circumstances, can ends 10 cannot be moved along trough 15 between counting gears 21 and 26, and therefore no counting can take place.

To initiate counting, actuate end 38 of cam stop arm 36 is pushed by manual or mechanical means, while simultaneously a plurality of nested can ends 10 is moved between counting gears 21 and 26. When this occurs, cam-following end 37 will be disengaged from dwell 32 permitting cam 31, and hence synchronizing gears 35, 24 and 29, and counting gears 21 and 26, to rotate. Thus, when can ends 10 are moved between counting gears 21 and 26, the teeth thereof will successively engage identical ones of can ends 10, thereby causing the rotation of counting gears 21 and 26. The rotation of counting gears 21 and 26 cause a corresponding rotation of synchronizing gears 35, 24 and 29, and cam 31. As cam 31 rotates, dwell 32 is moved out of alignment with cam-following end 37 of cam stop arm 36. Thereafter, actuate end 38 can be relaxed, causing camfollowing end 36 to slide about the periphery of cam 31 as shown in FIG. 4.

As can ends 10 are continually moved between counting gears 21 and 26, synchronizing gears 35, 24 and 29, and cam 31, continue to rotate in the directions indicated by the arrows shown in the drawings. Dwell 32 of cam 31 will thus continue to revolve until one full revolution is completed. At that time, dwell 32 will again be aligned with cam-following end 37, permitting spring 39 to urge cam-following end 37 into dwell 32. When this occurs, cam 31 will again be prevented from rotating, as will synchronizing gears 35, 24 and 29, and counting gears 21 and 26. As a result, no additional can ends can be passed between counting gears 21 and 26 until actuate end 38 is again pushed. It should be clear that the stack of can ends which was passed between counting gears 21 and 26 during the first revolution of cam 31 can be easily separated from those can ends immediately behind, and now blocked by counting gears 21 and 26, by pushing the stack further along trough 1S by manual or mechanical means. FIG. 2 shows this stack of can ends being separated from the other nested can ends still blocked behind counting gears 21 and 26.

It should be observed that the number of can ends in the stack passed between counting gears 21 and 26 during the first full revolution of cam 31 depends on the number of teeth, and hence the circumference of the concave counting gears 21 and 26. The pitch of the teeth of the counting gears 21 and 26 is equal to the can end curled edge thickness. Thus, by proper selection of the size of counting gears 21 and 26, a predetermined number of can ends will be passed along trough 15, between counting gears 21 and 26, with each and every revolution of cam 31. This predetermined number is preferably equal to the number of can ends that will properly fill paper sleeves, tubes or cartons used in commercial packing operations. In view of the foregoing, it should be clear that discrete stacks comprising a predetermined number of can ends can be rapidly and accurately produced, simply by successively mechanically or manually pushing actuate end 38 and moving can ends between counting gears 21 and 26 until further movement of can ends 10 is blocked by counting gears 21 and 26.

It should also be clear that numerous other embodiments of the apparatus and method herein described can be devised without departing from the true spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention should not be limited to any single embodiment, but should be granted the broad purview defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for segregating nested articles into discrete stacks, each stack containing an equal number of articles, comprising:

a trough for carrying a plurality of nested articles in edgewise alignment;

first and second rotatable counting gears secured to first and second shafts, respectively, said counting gears being aligned on opposite sides of said trough and having a plurality of teeth adapted to engage successive edges of said nested articles;

a first synchronizing gear secured to said first shaft;

a second synchronizing gear secured to said second shaft and mechanically cooperating with said first synchronizing gear for maintaining said first and second counting gears in synchronous rotation as said nested articles move along said trough;

a rotatable cam mechanically coupled to said first synchronizing gear; and

cam stop means for simultaneously stopping the rotation of said cam, said synchronizing gears, and said counting gears when said number of articles have been counted, thereby preventing said articles from being moved along said trough between said counting gears.

2. The apparatus recited in claim 1 further includes indicia, associated with said first counting gear, advancing incrementally as said teeth of said first counting gear engage said successive ones of said nested articles.

3. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said first counting gear and said second counting gear each have a concave side surface adapted to cooperate with the circumferential edge of said nested articles.

4. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said first counting gear and said second counting gear have teeth of equal pitch, and wherein the teeth of said first counting gear and the teeth of said second counting gear are adapted to successively engage identical ones of said nested articles as said nested articles move along said trough.

5. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said cam stop means include a spring-loaded cam stop arm having a cam-following end, and wherein said cam includes a dwell for receiving said cam-following end; said camfollowing end being urged into said dwell when said dwell is rotated into alignment with said cam-following end, thereby preventing further rotation of said cam.

6. The apparatus recited in claim 5 wherein said cam stop arm further includes an actuate end for releasing said cam-following end from said dwell, thereby permitting further rotation of said cam.

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1. An apparatus for segregating nested articles into discrete stacks, each stack containing an equal number of articles, comprising: a trough for carrying a plurality of nested articles in edgewise alignment; first and second rotatable counting gears secured to first and second shafts, respectively, said counting gears being aligned on opposite sides of said trough and having a plurality of teeth adapted to engage successive edges of said nested articles; a first synchronizing gear secured to said first shaft; a second synchronizing gear secured to said second shaft and mechanically cooperating with said first synchronizing gear for maintaining said first and second counting gears in synchronous rotation as said nested articles move along said trough; a rotatable cam mechanically coupled to said first synchronizing gear; and cam stop means for simultaneously stopping the rotation of said cam, said synchronizing gears, and said counting gears when said number of articles have been counted, thereby preventing said articles from being moved along said trough between said counting gears.
 2. The apparatus recited in claim 1 further includes indicia, associated with said first counting gear, advancing incrementally as said teeth of said first counting gear engage said successive ones of said nested articles.
 3. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said first counting gear and said second counting gear each have a concave side surface adapted to cooperate with the circumferential edge of said nested articles.
 4. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said first counting gear and said second counting gear have teeth of equal pitch, and wherein the teeth of said first counting gear and the teeth of said second counting gear are adapted to successively engage identical ones of said nested articles as said nested articles move along said trough.
 5. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said cam stop means include a spring-loaded cam stop arm having a cam-following end, and wherein said cam includes a dwell for receiving said cam-following end; said cam-following end being urged into said dwell when said dwell is rotated into alignment with said cam-following end, thereby preventing further rotation of said cam.
 6. The apparatus recited in claim 5 wherein said cam stop arm further includes an actuate end for releasing said cam-following end from said dwell, thereby permitting further rotation of said cam. 